Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Lugen Zuo, Zhijun Geng, Xue Song, Jing Li, Yueyue Wang, Xiaofeng Zhang, Sitang Ge, Lian Wang, Guangyong Liu, Lele Zhang, Mengyu Xu, Yajing Zhao, Li Shen, Yuanyuan Ge, Rong Wu, Jianguo Hu
Summary: In this study, it was found that white adipocyte browning occurs in hypertrophic mesenteric adipose tissue (htMAT) of Crohn's disease (CD) patients and has anti-inflammatory and lipid-depleting effects. Browning can be induced in both human htMAT and primary mesenteric adipocytes from CD patients and controls, and this induction increases their anti-inflammatory and lipid-depleting activities. Inducing MAT browning can ameliorate mesenteric hypertrophy, inflammation, and colitis in mice, suggesting that it could be a potential therapeutic target for CD.
JOURNAL OF CROHNS & COLITIS
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Md Shamim Rahman, Heejin Jun
Summary: This review explains the impact of fat types and tissue microenvironment on energy expenditure, focusing on the role and regulation of macrophages in adaptive thermogenic fat.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ruping Pan, Yong Chen
Summary: Obesity is characterized by the overaccumulation of white adipose tissue in the body, leading to various metabolic disorders. Targeting human thermogenic adipose tissues shows promise in combating obesity.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Graciano da Nadyellem Silva, Angelica Amorim Amato
Summary: Adipose tissue undergoes significant changes with aging, leading to an increased risk of metabolic diseases. These changes include defective adipogenesis, dysfunctional adipokine secretion, inflammation, and impaired thermogenesis. Brown and beige adipocytes play a role in regulating energy homeostasis. Age-related reduction in thermogenic adipocyte mass and function can be attributed to diminished adipose precursor cell pool size and adipogenic potential, mitochondrial dysfunction, decreased sympathetic signaling, and altered paracrine and endocrine signals.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna Whitehead, Fynn N. Krause, Amy Moran, Amanda D. V. MacCannell, Jason L. Scragg, Ben D. McNally, Edward Boateng, Steven A. Murfitt, Samuel Virtue, John Wright, Jack Garnham, Graeme R. Davies, James Dodgson, Jurgen E. Schneider, Andrew J. Murray, Christopher Church, Antonio Vidal-Puig, Klaus K. Witte, Julian L. Griffin, Lee D. Roberts
Summary: The study identifies a group of metabolites synthesized in brown adipose tissue that can influence the metabolism of fat tissue and skeletal muscle, with anti-obesity effects in mouse models of obesity and diabetes. Brown and beige adipose tissue appear to have a significant impact on systemic metabolism through secreted signals.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Xiaoxue Yuan, Hongping Lu, Yu Zhang, Ming Han, Kai Han, Pu Liang, Shunai Liu, Jun Cheng
Summary: HCBP6 is an important enhancer that activates brown fat to produce heat. It increases the activity of brown fat by upregulating UCP1 expression and increasing the number of mitochondria. In addition, the loss of HCBP6 leads to metabolic pathway disorder and reduction in brown adipocyte development genes.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Atefeh Rabiee, Kaja Plucinska, Marie Sophie Isidor, Erin Louise Brown, Marco Tozzi, Simone Sidoli, Patricia Stephanie S. Petersen, Marina Agueda-Oyarzabal, Silje Boen Torsetnes, Galal Nazih Chehabi, Morten Lundh, Ali Altintas, Romain Barres, Ole Norregaard Jensen, Zachary Gerhart-Hines, Brice Emanuelli
Summary: This study investigated the molecular mechanisms driving the differentiation of precursor cells into thermogenic adipocytes. Proteomic analysis revealed dynamic changes in subcutaneous white adipose tissue during browning, with YBX1 identified as a novel factor coordinating the genomic mechanisms for brite/beige lineage commitment in preadipocytes.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Laura M. Laiglesia, Xavier Escote, Neira Sainz, Elisa Felix-Soriano, Eva Santamaria, Maria Collantes, Marta Fernandez-Galilea, Ignacio Colon-Mesa, Leyre Martinez-Fernandez, Tania Quesada-Lopez, Sergio Quesada-Vazquez, Carlos Rodriguez-Ortigosa, Jose M. Arbones-Mainar, Angela M. Valverde, J. Alfredo Martinez, Jesmond Dalli, Laura Herrero, Silvia Lorente-Cebrian, Francesc Villarroya, Maria J. Moreno-Aliaga
Summary: In this study, MaR1 is identified as a novel drug that promotes BAT activation and WAT browning by regulating thermogenic program in adipocytes and M2 polarization of macrophages.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yukimasa Takeda, Yoshinori Harada, Toshikazu Yoshikawa, Ping Dai
Summary: Brown fats specialize in thermogenesis by increasing the utilization of circulating blood glucose and fatty acids, and they prevent the incidence of obesity-associated metabolic diseases and several types of cancers in humans. Mitochondrial energy metabolism in brown/beige adipocytes regulates both uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)-dependent and -independent thermogenesis, and the mass and activity of human BAT are inversely correlated with the body mass index (BMI) and visceral adiposity. Modulation of obesity-associated repression in human brown fats is a promising strategy to counteract obesity and related metabolic diseases through the activation of thermogenic capacity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chad C. Doucette, Davide Barteselli, Daniel C. Nguyen, Sophia Blanchard, Mason Pelletier, Devesh Kesharwani, Ed Jachimowicz, Su Su, Michele Karolak, Aaron C. Brown
Summary: In this study, an optogenetic approach was used to activate UCP1-dependent thermogenesis in brown adipocytes. This system allows for precise, chemical free, temporal control of UCP1-dependent thermogenesis, which can contribute to our understanding of brown adipocyte biology and the development of therapies for obesity-related disorders.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Khanyisani Ziqubu, Phiwayinkosi V. Dludla, Sinenhlanhla X. H. Mthembu, Bongani B. Nkambule, Sihle E. Mabhida, Babalwa U. Jack, Tawanda M. Nyambuya, Sithandiwe E. Mazibuko-Mbeje
Summary: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has been extensively studied as a potential avenue to combat obesity due to its thermoregulatory function and energy expenditure promotion. In obesity, BAT and beige adipose tissue exhibit whitening characteristics, which are associated with various factors including diet, age, genetics, thermoneutrality, and chemical exposure. Whitening is marked by the accumulation of large unilocular lipid droplets, mitochondrial degeneration, and collapsed thermogenic capacity, by the virtue of mitochondrial dysfunction, devascularization, autophagy, and inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Cynthia E. Francis, Logan Allee, Helen Nguyen, Rachel D. Grindstaff, Colette N. Miller, Srujana Rayalam
Summary: The effects of EDCs on obesity are of growing interest, with potential to increase the risk of obesity by altering energy metabolism in adipose tissues. Brown and beige fat, rich in mitochondria and involved in metabolic diseases, are highlighted as potential therapeutic targets.
Review
Physiology
Jacob D. Garritson, Sihem Boudina
Summary: Research suggests that adipose tissue plays a significant role in maintaining metabolic health, with lifestyle interventions such as exercise showing potential for improving metabolic stability and reducing cardiometabolic disorders. The plasticity of adipose tissue in response to external stimuli highlights the importance of understanding the systemic and local effects of exercise on white and brown adipose tissue cellularity and metabolic function.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andreas Schmid, Martin Roderfeld, Jonas Gehl, Elke Roeb, Andrea Nist, Ho-Ryun Chung, Thorsten Stiewe, Thomas Karrasch, Andreas Schaeffler
Summary: Based on the experimental results, it was found that adipocyte CTRP-3 plays a role in adipogenesis and weight gain, without impairing adipocyte differentiation. Additionally, the lack of adipocyte CTRP-3 resulted in an anti-inflammatory phenotype in AT gene expression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Pooja Anantha, Zhenhui Liu, Piyush Raj, Ishan Barman
Summary: In this study, we used optical diffraction tomography (ODT) and Raman spectroscopy to investigate the early stages of differentiation of human white preadipocytes (HWPs) and human brown preadipocytes (HBPs). We found that HBPs accumulate lipids more rapidly and have a higher lipid mass than HWPs. Additionally, HBPs have higher lipid unsaturation levels than HWPs.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Jiamiao Hu, Zhenyu Wang, Bee K. Tan, Mark Christian
TRENDS IN FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Oncology
M. Tabuso, M. Christian, P. K. Kimani, K. Gopalakrishnan, R. P. Arasaradnam
PATHOLOGY & ONCOLOGY RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Avi Lerner, Drashti Kewada, Ayan Ahmed, Kate Hardy, Mark Christian, Stephen Franks
Summary: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with reduced postprandial thermogenesis and abnormalities in adipose tissue function, with excess androgen inhibiting brown adipogenesis, attenuating thermogenic activation, and reducing mitochondrial respiration in brown adipose tissue (BAT). These findings may contribute to the reduced postprandial thermogenesis and increased tendency to obesity observed in women with PCOS.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Tabuso, Raghu Adya, Richard Stark, Kishore Gopalakrishnan, Yee Wah Tsang, Sean James, Andrew White, Adrian Fisk, Federica Dimitri, Mark Christian, Ramesh Pulendran Arasaradnam
Summary: The study identified differentially expressed genes in peritumoral adipose tissue of human colon cancer patients, with COL1A1 and down regulation of the Wnt pathway potentially playing a role in local invasion and distant metastasis. These findings suggest that COL1A1 may serve as a stromal prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in colon cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Onyinye Nuella Ekechukwu, Mark Christian
Summary: Recent studies have identified key metabolic roles for light and taste receptors in adipose tissue. White and brown adipose tissues play major functions in energy storage/release, tightly controlled by GPCR pathways to maintain energy homeostasis.
REVIEWS IN ENDOCRINE & METABOLIC DISORDERS
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Zhenyu Wang, Yong Li, Dandan Ma, Maomao Zeng, Zhaojun Wang, Fang Qin, Jie Chen, Mark Christian, Zhiyong He
Summary: Different parts of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) have medicinal properties due to the presence of active chemicals such as alkaloids. The bioavailability of lotus alkaloids is relatively low, but can be enhanced by technological modification. Research shows that lotus alkaloids have therapeutic and preventive effects on obesity, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, etc. They also have industrial applications in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Zhenyu Wang, Maomao Zeng, Zhaojun Wang, Fang Qin, Yongzhi Wang, Jie Chen, Mark Christian, Zhiyong He
Summary: Fat browning has attracted research interest as a potential treatment for obesity and related metabolic disorders. Polyphenols and gut microecology play crucial roles in converting fat to brown. This review summarizes current knowledge, mostly from mouse models, suggesting that the effects of food phenolics on brown fat activation and white fat browning may be due to their regulation of gut microecology, including microbial profiles, gut metabolites, and gut-derived hormones. Furthermore, potential underlying pathways are also discussed.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Farah Omran, Ioannis Kyrou, Faizel Osman, Ven Gee Lim, Harpal Singh Randeva, Kamaljit Chatha
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major healthcare burden worldwide. Early detection is crucial for prevention and treatment, and biomarkers play a critical role. Traditional cardiac biomarkers have been replaced by new ones, but their limitations remain. Further research is needed to evaluate the value of future cardiac biomarkers in improving CVD detection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
King Hang Tommy Mau, Donja Karimlou, David Barneda, Vincent Brochard, Christophe Royer, Bryony Leeke, Roshni A. de Souza, Melanie Pailles, Michelle Percharde, Shankar Srinivas, Alice Jouneau, Mark Christian, Veronique Azuara
Summary: The study reveals the significance of lipid droplets in the development process, particularly in the morphogenesis of blastocysts and pluripotent stem cells.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Zhenyu Wang, Chaoyi Xue, Xuan Wang, Maomao Zeng, Zhaojun Wang, Qiuming Chen, Jie Chen, Mark Christian, Zhiyong He
Summary: Lotus leaf, particularly its component Q3G, can stimulate thermogenesis by activating brown adipocytes through the AMPK and β3-AR signaling pathways. The ethanol extract from lotus leaf contains high levels of polyphenols and flavonoids, with Q3G being the most abundant. The extract promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid beta-oxidation, leading to increased energy expenditure.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Farah Omran, Alice M. Murphy, Awais Z. Younis, Ioannis Kyrou, Jana Vrbikova, Vojtech Hainer, Petra Sramkova, Martin Fried, Graham Ball, Gyanendra Tripathi, Sudhesh Kumar, Philip G. McTernan, Mark Christian
Summary: This study investigated the impact of endotoxin on mitochondrial function and browning capacity in human adipocytes. The results showed that endotoxin directly contributes to impaired mitochondrial function and reduced browning capacity of adipocytes, exacerbating metabolic consequences. Bariatric surgery, which reduces endotoxin levels, is associated with improved adipocyte functionality.
Article
Physiology
Awais Z. Younis, Gareth G. Lavery, Mark Christian, Craig L. Doig
Summary: Methods commonly used to isolate mitochondria involve mechanical force and shear stress to homogenize tissue, followed by ultracentrifugation for purification. However, these protocols can be time-consuming and impair the integrity of the mitochondrial double membrane. This study presents a nitrogen cavitation method for the rapid isolation of intact, respiring mitochondria from murine skeletal muscle tissue and cell lines. This protocol results in high-yield, pure mitochondria without the need for purification gradients or ultracentrifugation, and can be completed in under an hour with minimal specialized equipment.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jinhua Li, Yu Bo Yang Sun, Weiyi Chen, Jinjin Fan, Songhui Li, Xinli Qu, Qikang Chen, Riling Chen, Dajian Zhu, Jinfeng Zhang, Zhuguo Wu, Honggang Chi, Simon Crawford, Viola Oorschot, Victor G. Puelles, Peter G. Kerr, Yi Ren, Susan K. Nilsson, Mark Christian, Huanwen Tang, Wei Chen, John F. Bertram, David J. Nikolic-Paterson, Xueqing Yu
